Chapter 2 - The 1917 February/March Revolution

Question 1

Describe the social conditions in Petrograd leading up to the February Revolution of 1917.

Answer 1

By the winter of 1917, Petrograd was tense due to the frustrations of the unemployed and desperate citizens which contributed to the revolutionary atmosphere

Question 2

How did the military respond to the unrest in Petrograd during the February/March Revolution?

Answer 2

Under General Khabalov’s command it was ordered to restore order by deploying soldiers onto the streets, but this led to mutinies among the troops as by this point many soldiers were conscripted peasants who didn’t want to open fire on their own.

Question 3

How did the army’s high command respond to the unrest in February 1917?

Answer 3

It ordered 10,000 troops to march to the capital and restore stability amidst the unrest and strikes. This included 100,000 workers form 58 different factories

Question 4

Describe the significance of the events that took place in February 1917 in Petrograd.

Answer 4

• Marked by mass demonstrations involving around 250,000 workers
• They openly expressed discontent with the Tsardom through revolutionary slogans
• reflected frustrations of the peasant and worker classes as well as the young soldiers who were ordered to suppress the protests.

Question 5

Describe the significance of the emergence of soviets in Petrograd during the February/March Revolution of 1917.

Answer 5

It indicates a form of organisation among socialist leaders, reflecting the growing influence of socialist movements and the push for political change

Question 6

What was the role of soldiers’ committees in the March 1917 events in Petrograd.

Answer 6

They were responsible for controlling all weapons, ensuring that authority was held by elected representatives rather than officers, reflecting a shift towards more democratic governance.

Question 7

What were the circumstances surrounding Nicholas II’s abdication in March 1917.

Answer 7

By March 2 the terms had been agreed on and his brother Mikhail refused the offer to the throne. His family was then placed under house arrest.

Question 8

What actions were taken by workers in cities during the revolutionary period?

Answer 8

Thousands of workers staged large-scale strikes and demonstrations, seized control of their factories, established their own soviets and deposed their former bosses.

Question 9

What was the significance of national minorities declaring independence in the 1917 revolution?

Answer 9

• Some of them (like Poland and Ukraine) demanded independence which represented the push for self-determination and autonomy from the empire.
• Fueled by desire for freedoms and liberties.
• Russians saw this as a loss of power so were unwilling to give up freedom.

Question 10

How did the views of the Provisional Government and the Soviet differ regarding the war?

Answer 10

• the PG believed that Russia could continue fighting offensively and push to gain territory and win the war
• The soviet wanted to fight defensively and end the war as quickly as possible without losing any territory to Germany

Question 11

What was the political climate in Russia like in June 1917?

Answer 11

• widespread discontent towards PG (self-appointed, dominated by wealthy) among workers, soldiers and peasants.
• elections frequently postponed (because of growing support for Bolsheviks)

Question 12

What were some of the things that lead up to the February revolution?

Answer 12

• breakdown of order in Petrograd
• mutinies in the Tsar’s garrisons
• widespread unrest –> countless strikes and demonstrations
• all culminated in the collapse of the autocracy.